Friday, August 23, 2013

lly

Annual Hot Air Balloon Rally
(Pittsfield, NH)
 
Most of you know we sponsor a Hot Air Balloon every August in Pittsfield, NH. We make a weekend out of and include several family gatherings.
 
 
We have lots of good pictures of the event but still seem to take more.
 
That is my youngest grandson in the yellow shirt waving as they start up with a blast from the propane tank.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
A trip to NH would not be complete with out a trip to the former family farm in Gilmanton.
 
 
 
 
 
The people who purchased the 200 year old house from the Carlsons, though they promised to restore it, actually ended up tearing it down and built a big brick house. Here they met the new owner.
 
 
The trip to the farm always  involves discussing where the original house was in relation to what is there now.  "Isn't that the tree that was in front of the living room window?" That is getting harder to do that since trees are getting bigger/older and some have been removed. Also, other houses are being built on the original property plus there are other changes.
 
 
 

 
This shows the pump, which in itself, draws great discussion (being original location - or not).  Here you can see the deep discussion about the pump location with my husband, his brother and the newest owner. This owner is very interested in the history of the property and was pleased to listen to the stories making everyone very happy.
 
 
 
 
We did have some good flights (except Saturday evening when it was too windy). Here is a view from our balloon up in the air.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
And just landing "The Irish Rover" in a field getting ready to pack it up for the next flight.
 
 
 
A few years ago, I made a video of the "process" of launching the balloon we sponsor. You can see it by clicking here if you would like.
 
 
 

Monday, August 5, 2013

Spiro Pendant Revisited

Spiro Pendant
Revisited
 
It is not unusual for me to get the comment
"Oh, it looks better in person than in your newsletter picture" from people I see while wearing a piece featured in a recent post.
 
However, this week the comment I got most was "It is smaller than I thought" or "My, it really looks different"
 
I know that pictures can never really give an accurate look at my jewelry pieces. No matter how hard I try.
 
 
 

 
The "close up" Bermuda Blue AB
 
The pendant is 1 inch in diameter
 
 
 
Shown hanging on a silver chain.
 
I don't know about you but sometimes all the "verbiage" used to describe something is never enough. So thinking of how I could possibly get the look across, I thought about a picture of the pendant being worn. It is shown on a 20 inch silver chain. Of course, it can be on a 16, or 18 inch chain it you prefer.
 
 

Not sure if it helps but I'm trying. Am I succeeding any at all?  Bev, you are or are not succeeding.
Let me know - click on the link above
 
My other problem is the explaining the color of the crystals available. This is a Bermuda Blue AB Swarovski Rivoli crystal. While it has blue in in, I'm  not sure it is what I would really recognize as Bermuda Blue. Remember the AB or aurora borealis changes the look. I like to think of it as an oil slick in color. Changes with movement or light change. I have to learn more about the AB effect.
 
 
 
I've ordered some different colors (2 each) Golden Shadow, Heliotrope, Aqua AB and Vitrail medium.
My personal favorites would be the Heliotrope and the Vitrail. Do you have a favorite?
 
To help me out please let me know if this post has helped to explain this piece any better.